this post was submitted on 12 Sep 2025
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[–] TomMasz@lemmy.world -3 points 1 day ago (4 children)

Religion isn't necessarily the problem, people (as usual) are.

[–] tatterdemalion@programming.dev 2 points 16 hours ago

That's essentially the same as saying guns aren't the problem.

[–] flabbergast@lemmy.world 22 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

All religion is baseless bullshit, so yes, it is problematic in itself.
It is divisive by nature/design.
And it is made worse by people abusing it for power over others or discrimination.

[–] Yeahigotskills2@lemmy.ml -2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I think it’s a bit of a stretch to say it’s all baseless. It could just as easily be the passing down of allegorical tales — stories seeded by some guiding or controlling force countless generations ago in our collective development. There are even arguments for things like a collective consciousness or sub-atomic networks, suggesting that our linear experience of time might just be a way of processing information.

Honestly, who really knows? But speaking as someone who has oscillated between Christianity, Buddhism, and atheism in my youth, I’ve come to see atheism as just as much of a limiting dogma as any other belief system.

[–] flabbergast@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

After posting my comment, I figured the baseless part might get some critique, but I decided to leave it. I meant it as 'not based in realty or not based on facts', if that helps clarifying.
Also, if you heap in atheism with Christianity and Buddhism, you don't understand what atheism is.
Christianity and Buddhism are actual systems of belief, while atheism is simply a lack of belief in any god or deity.
Anyone who does not believe in some god/deity/greater power, is an atheist. Whether they like it or not, that's what it is. A simple definition about a persons lack of belief. It does not come with any other rules or dogma. No rituals or leadership at all, so it can't be a system.

[–] Yeahigotskills2@lemmy.ml 1 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

I wouldn't say I heap them in together. At times in my life I have rejected a belief in anything 'higher', which fits your definition of atheism, although perhaps my mindset was closer to an agnostic atheist stance, which to me is more along the lines of 'I don't believe, but I can't be certain as there's a limit to my knowledge', as opposed to being a strong proponent of the belief that there is nothing beyond death.

[–] flabbergast@lemmy.world 2 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Fair point. No one can be sure about there being anything after death. For me it's like the safest and most logical bet that there won't be anything. All other 'options' come across a lot like wishful thinking. No one is going to believe in anything that doesn't fit their own narrative.
Personally, I would not be able to believe Santa Claus is real, so why would I believe in anything supernatural? I'd rather find answers in science.
Also, the idea of there being eternal life after death would just terrify me. It would be the most boring and useless way to spend time. It is the notion of my time being limited that gives it value. When time is unlimited, everything loses meaning.

[–] Yeahigotskills2@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 hour ago

I hear you. But then does the existence of some sort of higher purpose/unknown science necessarily imply everlasting life?

[–] MotoAsh@lemmy.world 8 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

No, it is directly a problem. Believing in bullshit because someone in a higher position than you said it with zero fucking evidence is how MANY of humanity's ills have come about and persist. Religion feeds that idiocy.

No, it's not the only route, but it is a HUGE component of people believing things without evidence. That is, unequivocally, an actual, literal, direct problem.

[–] dsilverz@calckey.world 0 points 1 day ago (2 children)

@MotoAsh@lemmy.world @TomMasz@lemmy.world

Firstly, it's obvious "believing" means "zero evidence". If a belief had any solid evidences, it wouldn't be a belief, it would be a peer-reviewed scientific paper instead.

That said, you're conflating "belief" with "religious hierarchy" when, in reality, belief isn't necessarily dependent on hierarchy. I believe in Lilith and Lucifer, and I have no one "above me" except for Her and Him. In fact, the belief I follow on my own isn't even compatible with any kind of hierarchy, because these entities represent independence and rebelliousness, so it'd be quite paradoxical for me to have a leader/master/priestess/whatever.

Finally, I challenge you to point out any kind of "humanity's ill" inflicted by Luciferianism and other left-hand path beliefs, even those who actually have hierarchies (e.g. Quimbanda).

So, I sincerely remind you, don't generalize and attack every single religion and belief system on Earth because of a half dozen big ones who actually are to blame for many historical wars ("Holy wars") and their interference on scientific progress. Don't demonize the demons and demonesses, we're friends of scientific inquiry. Beware not to do friendly fire.

[–] Flax_vert@feddit.uk -5 points 20 hours ago

Don't demonize the demons and demonesses

You are all following demons. Self-proclaimed Satanists, Atheists, "progressivists", billionaires, nazis, racists, bigots, child molesters, and rapists. Men who abuse women and women who abuse men. And those demons hate you more than anyone else can. They'll lead you to the everlasting hellfire. They won't be your friend.

we're friends of scientific inquiry.

Christians basically invented the scientific method. It has never rejected science apart from some fringe beliefs.

[–] MotoAsh@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago (2 children)

rofl you refute my statement, backed by centuries of human history... with, "but my religion doesn't have a lord!"

Good job proving my point that it doesn't matter which religion, but belief in bullshit os damaging... because your nonsense is ... nonsense.

[–] dsilverz@calckey.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

@MotoAsh@lemmy.world Where in centuries of human history were there any wrongdoings stemming from Luciferianism and other leaderless occult belief systems? Where in centuries of human history did Luciferianism and other occult belief systems interfered or tried to hinger with scientific progress?

[–] MotoAsh@lemmy.world 1 points 20 hours ago

We don't know because the Christians purged the history books of them.

I'm not saying you're just as bad as Christians et. al., just similarly brainless for believing in things without evidence, which IS dangerous on its own.

[–] TheWeirdestCunt@lemmy.today 0 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Go on then try to explain how pagan religions that boil down to "don't fuck with nature, it'll kill you" are damaging?

[–] MotoAsh@lemmy.world 0 points 19 hours ago* (last edited 19 hours ago) (1 children)

rofl way to strawman their beliefs... Sure, it makes sense when you leave out everything made up.

Nowhere did I say they're AS BAD as Christians et. al., but belief without evidence is still fucking stupid and harmful to yourself and anyone you teach such drivel to.

[–] TheWeirdestCunt@lemmy.today 0 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

my point that it doesn’t matter which religion

idk man saying it doesn't matter what religion you're talking about sounds like you think they're all equally bad to me.

Also idk who's beliefs you think I'm making a strawman out of but I was refering to my own beliefs that help me to actually go into nature as I can at least 4 times a year to help with my depression, maybe I'm more open to it because up until a few years ago I was studying to become a conservationist but it's certainly better than back when I also thought that anyone who believes in something is a dumbass

[–] MotoAsh@lemmy.world 0 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

Your personal religion is not an established religion that has done things theoughout history... So again... good job strawmanning your own argument.

[–] TheWeirdestCunt@lemmy.today 0 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

I'm leaning more into druidic paganism personally but paganism has had a massive impact across the planet through it's different forms.

Vikings, Celts, Romans, Greeks, ancient Egyptians, native Americans and aboriginal Australians all practiced / practice some form of pagan religion. If you genuinely believe that not a single one of those culture groups have done anything throughout history then you clearly need to learn some things yourself before you criticise people for believing in any religion.

But I guess I shouldn't expect someone who can't even remember their own arguments to actually understand anything about the world outside their basement.

[–] MotoAsh@lemmy.world 0 points 9 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago) (1 children)

rofl sure, those religions that did not ever do anything significant positively either suuuure are great! Please, point to the evidence in history of the great gains of your pet religion...

Again, we're not talking about your pet religion, you fucking numpty. We're talking about the religions that have shaped "the west" in modern culture. Stay on topic. or continue to completely and utterly ignore the point.

[–] TheWeirdestCunt@lemmy.today 0 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

Ok you know what it's on me for falling for a troll, clearly I'm just trying to stop you from believing in something without evidence. But that's just something idiots do right?

[–] MotoAsh@lemmy.world 0 points 8 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago)

You refuse to understand the point because, supposedly, YOUR religion hasn't produced as much negativity... Congratulations on being the most dense fucking moron on Lemmy this month. Genuinely, you are pathetic.

at best its a waste of human energy and maybe good for those that require that emotional crutch

your argument is the same for guns, which we as a species should also mature out of